Nov 15, 2013

This week, the January/February edition of Chickens® from Hobby Farms arrived in the mailbox with my article about how to build a better chicken feeder in the centerfold! That was fun, but there was no time to read through the rest of the magazine with two more articles to wind up for my editors by this weekend. (tick, tock...)

Meanwhile, in the backyard, we enjoyed the final days of live flowers as temperatures plummeted into the teens. I'm SO not ready for winter, but we have started winterizing the coops and I'll be writing about it for you later this week.

Blaze (Black Copper Marans rooster) with three of his favorite ladies.

Spartacus (Serama x Red Sex Link) and his uncle, Caesar (bottom/right) are besties, but they have been seen chest-bumping and engaging in stare-downs lately, which the nephew invariably wins.

Now that Rachel (below, Bantam Cochin Frizzle) has finished molting, she has resumed egg-laying at the rate of 3 per week. None has proven fertile in the incubator yet though despite Sparky's best efforts. An unidentified flock member had the audacity to pluck these newly grown feathers out of Rachel in a nest box skirmish. :(

wonderful pics as always. we have begun our preparation for our first chicken winter. Plastic is up on the outside of 2 sides of the run, venting has been reduced to keep out some of the drafts, and working on water warmers. I heard a fox the other night and it brought me right out of bed, now that by ladies are more likely to be a target as the winter approaches. Our Dane jumped to her feet and stood guard out by the coop for a while, letting any around know that she was on night watch. Gee!!! It's like having an infant again. :-)

Gave my girls a handful of sunflower seeds today as a treat. And I cooked them some oats & mixed w/some plain yogurt too this week. This time of the year I like to give them some extra love. I haven't given any Happy Hen Treats yet! Sure they would love them.

Thank you so much for the information on whether to use shavings or sand in my coops, I will definitely be using Sand from now on. I would also love to win. I love reading all about your chickens, I have only 2 Goldlinks left :( but will be getting new chickens in the spring.

Thanks for running the contest, Kathy! I love your pix, and your flock resembles mine with the variety of breeds, too. Jacques Pierre, my FBCM is the best roo I've ever had - ALL the girls love him, including me! :D

Can't wait to hear what you do to get your coops ready for winter. I was afraid to use the sand method with my small flock of six. Their little coop is raised off of the ground about 24" to give more space for them. There is no supplemental heat. I've opted for the deep litter method with hopes that it will create some warmth in the coop. Any advice is welcomed.

Thank you so much for hosting these giveaways and giving us the opportunity to find out about and try out new products for our feathered friends!! We are ALWAYS in need of feed because the one thing about chickens is that they need to eat EVERY day! ;)

I feel like a pregnant lady -- preparing months in advance for the arrival of my first chicks. We've learned so much from your blog, and your humor and terrific photos are inspiring. Thanks for doing what you do!

So glad to see Blaze looking so healthy now ^^ poor Rachel, never fails regardless of my chicken box math either. They all end up wanting a particular one that day and a skirmish or two undoubtedly erupts.. then the favorite spot magically changes!! lil scoundrels are quite determined to drive us crazy at least 2x a day :3 The girls vote for entering the scratch and peck for their stormy weather entertainment (btw, Berthas feathers are already looking wonderful on the supplement! I'll be taking and sharing some pics for you soon as I'm back up and about :D

Printfriendly

!->

Some of the links in my articles are affiliate links, which means I may receive a nominal commission when you make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

I occasionally receive products from sponsors to review. I feel it important to test-drive products so that I can speak with authority as to how they perform and share my opinions about them: good, bad or indifferent. My reviews are always fair and honest. If I have a problem with any product, you’re going to hear about it because that’s how I roll. This disclosure is made in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.If you enjoyed these disclaimers, hug a lawyer.